Need to get something planned for summer?

If you haven’t managed to get something planned for summer maybe you are feeling under pressure. Or maybe you have been applying and not got anything yet and that can feel disheartening. Sometimes students feel they have missed the deadlines for everything by now (not true!). Here are a couple of points to consider:

1. Are you accessing all the support and feedback available to you for applications and interviews? If not, check here first: Applications and interviews

2. Are you in second year? Many formal internships are targeted to third/penultimate years so it can be harder for 1st and 2nd years to find advertised internships. However……let’s start with MyCareerHub

On 1st April 2024, there are still advertised opportunities on MyCareerHub. I did a search using “internships” as a search and 188 came up. I know they won’t all be relevant or interesting for everyone but there still opportunities out there. e.g.  Scottish Government Digital Directorate has some great opportunities. Scottish Government Digital Directorate internships

If you use “vacation work” as a filter, there are 89 opportunities that come up on MyCareerHub – less formal, more likely to consider applications from year 2 Vacation work

The Space Placements in industry are still being advertised , open to any year Also on MyCareerHub https://sa.catapult.org.uk/spin/

I also did a search on Gradcracker.com filtering by science/physics/summer and there are still 33 opportunities being advertised Gradcracker.com

While some specify penultimate year (Deloitte, Network Rail) , some don’t e.g. Hoare Lee, Arup, Leonardo (internships in Software Eng and Photonics, needs security clearance)

If none of these interest you, you could consider:

• Doing some volunteering over the summer https://www.volunteeredinburgh.org.uk/
• Upskilling yourself doing some learning via LinkedIn Learning (free)
• Taking part in Students as Change Agents in June https://www.ed.ac.uk/sliccs/students/about/summer-planning
• Working on an interest project yourself
• Trying one or more of the short taster projects on Forage.com (free) gives you an insight and awareness of different jobs and sectors https://www.theforage.com/
• Creating your own opportunity: create your own

Remember any and all experience counts! More ideas here: Summer planning

Asteria: Space & Satellites Hackathon = work experience!

NASA Hackathon

Asteria: Space and Satellites would like to share with you an exciting hackathon opportunity.  This October 1-2, NASA and a global group of space agency partners are inviting makers, builders, artists, coders, entrepreneurs, designers, and storytellers to participate in the 11th NASA International Space Apps Challenge. 

By using NASA’s free and open data and the space agency partners’ data, Space Apps teams will solve challenges and work collaboratively to create scientific discoveries that can help improve life on Earth. During a 2-day hackathon event, participants from around the world will create teams and use space-based data to develop solutions to challenges the world is facing on Earth and in space. Read more from NASA!  https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/registration-now-open-for-nasa-2022-international-space-apps-challenge

The theme for Space Apps this year is “Make Space” which celebrates that Space Apps is for anyone and everyone. Participants from around the world are welcomed regardless of background and experience to create, explore, learn, and build together. Space Apps provides a supportive environment that empowers ideas through innovation and inclusion. In other words, you do not need to be a coder or data expert to be part of Space Apps.

Space Apps 2022 is the collaboration of NASA and a global group of space agency partners including the Australian Space Agency, Brazilian Space Agency (AEB), Canadian Space Agency (CSA), European Space Agency (ESA), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Mexican Space Agency (AEM), National Space Activities Commission of Argentina (CONAE), National Space Science Agency (NSSA) of Bahrain, Paraguayan Space Agency (AEP), and the South African National Space Agency (SANSA). 

Registration is now open, and here is the link to register: https://2022.spaceappschallenge.org/auth/signup/ 

If you have any questions or would like to connect with the Space Apps Global Organizing (GO) team directly you can reach out via email at:  info@spaceappschallenge.org.

Stay in touch with #SpaceApps for updates:

Twitter: @SpaceApps | Instagram: @nasa_spaceapps | Facebook: @SpaceAppsChallenge

Youtube: @NASASpaceAppsChallenge | Website: spaceappschallenge.org

Help the IOP with their research – non-members needed!

The Institute of Physics (IOP ) is looking for non-members (UG and PhD) to support them in a project to improve their members’ portal IOPConnect.

If you are a non-member and would be sympathetic to helping them improve the digital experience and share your views (online 60min interview)please contact Gaynor Gardner at Gaynor.Gardner@iop.org

#make your mark – tackle inequality

#makeyourmark returns Friday 4 to Sunday 6 February, 2022 — in-person at the Business School!

This challenge open to all undergraduate students to create a business idea that has a positive social impact by tackling inequality.

Join us for this fun, and inspiring challenge in which you will create a business idea that matches profit with purpose. Working with other students from across the University, you will develop and pitch business ideas that aim to tackle inequalities and transform local communities.

Inspiring business leaders will support you throughout, and you will also have the chance to win mentoring sessions with Alice Thompson of Social Bite, and ethical gift boxes from Social Stories Club.  

Further information and the full programme is available to view, and you can register here now!

If you have any questions contact: makeyourmark@business-school.ed.ac.uk

SaCHA – wicked challenges, great experience

Students as Change Agents is returning again next month offering another chance for UoE students all over the world to tackle some wicked challenges. SaCHA Summer ‘21 will run from Tuesday 1 June through to Thursday 1 July and include a blend of live coaching, asynchronous group exercises and recorded training content. 

“This programme is an opportunity to work on real-life problems and development skills that can be applied in the work place. It allows you to develop leadership skills, critical thinking, problem solving skills, teamwork skills, and communication skills. It is a tailored personal development and growth programme.” 

Students as Change Agents – (April 2021) Alumnus

We are working with four excellent external partners, each running a wicked challenge that students can choose to tackle. Our challenge partners and questions for SACHA Summer 21 are:

1. How can Scotland prevent lives being harmed by alcohol?

Alcohol Focus Scotland is the national charity working to prevent and reduce alcohol-related harm on individuals, communities and Scotland as a whole.

2. How might we equip young people from all backgrounds with the skills they need to tackle the climate crisis?

Apps for Good is an independent charity, since 2010 they’ve worked with teachers to unlock the potential of over 200,000 students around the UK, and beyond, with their free technology courses.

3. How could Journeys within our Community go further in supporting Cambodian youth in contributing to the sustainable development of their society?

Journeys within our Community (JWOC) partner with low-income Cambodian youth to fulfil their potential in education, employment and engagement with their community.

4. How can Scotland move beyond awareness raising and have the fair trade concept instilled in public consciousness and buying practices?

The Scottish Fair Trade Forum contributes to building a just, equitable and sustainable world through supporting Scotland to remain a vibrant Fair Trade Nation and working to embed the principles of Fair Trade in all aspects of Scottish society.

You can find further information by clicking here or searching ‘change agents’ in the events section on MyCareerHub, you have until Wednesday 26 May 2021 at 23:59 BST to complete your application.

Need help making plans this summer?

This might be an unusual summer, but there are plenty of ways to use it. If you’ve nothing fixed yet don’t give up. There’s still time. Here are some suggested approaches that you can develop.

There’s no denying that life is very different for us all just now.  You might not be sure how to use your summer, or maybe your existing plans are now no longer possible.    

We’ve pulled together some ideas for things you could do over the summer.  Perhaps some of these really interest you, or perhaps they spark your own ideas.  Either way, find something that you will find interesting, valuable and enjoyable this summer.   

Suggestions here

The Edinburgh Award and SLICCs are two ways that you can get formal recognition from the University for your summer activities, and help you learn and develop more from the experience.  

Student-Led, Individually-Created Courses – Summer 2021

Student-Led, Individually-Created Courses (SLICCs) offer a reflective learning and assessment framework for students to gain academic credit for experiential learning.

After the success of SLICCs last summer, I’m delighted to say that the university has just opened student applications for summer 2021.

Open to Year 1 and 2 UG students, these SLICCs provide a unique opportunity for students to define their own experience and take ownership of their learning, gaining academic credits during their summer. 

Applications are open until 24 May 2021.

Students have done an amazing range of things. Find out more here

Make a difference: Student as Change Agents

Students as Change Agents is a safe ‘living lab’ approach for students, staff, and external partners to tackle real-life challenges and generate fresh thinking. It involves students from multiple disciplines, who want to make a social impact. 

Students as Change Agents ‘21 will run from Wednesday 3 February to the week commencing Monday 5 April (spring vacation week) and will again include a blend of live coaching and recorded training content which teams will work through together. You can more about Students as Change Agents here

You have until 11pm on 17 January 2021 to complete your applications through MyCareerHub

The programme is working with five excellent external partners, each running a “wicked challenge” that students can choose to tackle: 

1 How can the music industry in a post-Covid Scotland create jobs and economic growth? 

Challenge Partner: Scottish Music Industry Association  

2 How can we present a global index on child welfare, using existing data so that governments take action? 

Challenge Partner: Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children 

3 What can housing associations do to prevent fuel poverty? 

Challenge Partner: Link Group 

4 How can we tackle overconsumption in fashion? 

Challenge Partner: Pivot Earth 

5 How can we build a fair and welcoming Scotland for refugees and asylum seekers? 
Challenge Partner: Scottish Refugee Council 

Volunteer with InaGlobe

InAGlobe Education work with humanitarians around the world and link them with academia to try and facilitate their engineering needs.

Edinburgh Astrophysics graduate Kirit Hyland is currently running the new recruitment campaign and would love to get the word out to Edinburgh students. Find out more here